 Think clubs, lounges, arenas, street corners, stadiums, and coffee shops. Think student radio, college festivals, campus concerts, and under-21 nights. Think hip-hop, rock, jazz, folk, spoken word, and a whole lotta soul. Throw in nearly 300,000 college students for good measure, and what you get is the Philadelphia music scene.
Philly is always adding new chapters to its long history as a home to music pioneers. In recent years, “neo-soul” has had the city buzzing. The now-famous Black Lily event, a Tuesday night tradition at the Five Spot nightclub for almost ten years, was the epicenter of the neo-soul movement. Local favorite Jill Scott was one of many artists who would drop in to jam.
Many musicians have roots in the city, The Roots themselves being a great example. They live, record, produce and – most importantly – perform in the area, keeping it real for the college crowd. Thirty thousand students witnessed the Roots blaze through a trademark live performance at a recent college festival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Not all hip-hop artists coming out of Philly are big names. Some local artists—the heart of a vibrant underground scene—focus on innovative styles and flows you won’t hear on top 40 radio. And like most everything in Philadelphia, the best stuff won’t find you; you’ve got to get out there to find it.
If the only kind of music you like is the kind you can dance to, then Philly is your place. Hundreds of venues from small lounges to industrial-chic warehouse clubs host dance parties and DJs every night of the week. Check out Silk City for a wide variety of acts, including a monthly old-school night of nothing but Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince. And if dancing ’til the wee hours is your thing, then check out clubs like Shampoo and Pure, where the beat goes on until 4am—and sometimes later!
If you prefer something more low key, then you’re in good company in Philadelphia, long considered a hotbed for jazz and blues. Clubs like Warmdaddy’s, Zanzibar Blue, Ortleib’s Jazz Haus, Chris’s Jazz Café, North by Northwest, and the Philadelphia Clef Club for Performing Arts offer world-class performances in intimate settings, many with all-ages nights and often without cover charges!
In a city filled with diverse characters, intellectuals, and artists, spoken word flourishes. Painted Bride Arts Center hosts an all ages spoken word event on First Fridays. The October Gallery in Old City follows that up on every
second and third Fridays of
the month.
Philadelphia’s rock scene
can be compared to the city itself—diverse, full of surprises, and nothing fake about it. The number of venues is too long to list, but there’s something for every rocker out there.
The Trocadero supports frequent all-ages shows featuring eclectic line-ups. The Tin Angel usually hosts folk artists and singer/songwriters. At the Pontiac Grille, located on rocker-friendly South Street, you’ll find any genre of rock on any given night, including the occasional appearance by the Bacon Brothers, led by Philly’s own Kevin and Michael Bacon. The Theater for Living Arts (TLA), books national touring acts such as Common, and the Pat McGee Band.
Like any major city, Philly has the stadiums and arenas capable of hosting the biggest names in the music industry, but Philly was the only US city to step up and host the biggest event of them all: the international Live 8 concert. With the likes of London and Tokyo as co-hosts, and the diverse talents of Dave Matthews, Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Destiny’s Child and Linkin Park, close to 1 million people crowded the Ben Franklin Parkway to watch
the performances on the steps of Philadelphia’s famous Art Museum.
For many cities, Live 8 would’ve been a lot to handle. But Philly was at it again less than 48 hours later, hosting an Elton John and Rufus Wainwright-led Philadelphia Freedom concert to ring in July 4th, which drew almost as many people to the exact same location. Hard to imagine? Come hear it for yourself.
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